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Oliver, the pet pig attacked by man, should recover

Oliver, the pig that was stabbed 23 times in an Effingham mobile home park Wednesday. Courtesy Effingham Sheriff's Office.

Benjamin Fullwood

The pig that was attacked by a man and two dogs in an Effingham mobile home park suffered 23 stab wounds but should recover, authorities said.

The domesticated pig, which was a family pet, has been named “Oliver” by veterinarian technicians at Webb Animal Clinic in Rincon, who are caring for him, said Effingham County Sheriff’s spokesman David Ehsanipoor.

Ehsanipoor said the pig was in “stable” condition Friday afternoon.

“It looks like he’ll make it,” he said.

He said the pig had stab wounds in his neck and around his hind legs. His ears were torn from the dog bites.

The pig was a family pet but did not have a name. The owners approved the name “Oliver,” he said.

Bail was set Friday at $25,000 for the Springfield man charged with stabbing the pig — 23-year-old Benjamin Fullwood.

Chief Magistrate Scott Hinson set bond conditions Wednesday that prevent Fullwood from being around domesticated animals and from returning to the Bevills Mobile Home Park where the incident occurred.

Fullwood was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, obstruction and trespassing when he and two pit bulls attacked the pig that had wandered into the mobile home park on Courthouse Road.

Hinson said in a statement that Fullwood’s prior history with animals was a concern.

“I was informed by humane enforcement that Mr. Fullwood did not have ownership of the dogs; however, prior history has shown concern with his behavior regarding domestic animals,” Hinson said.

Ehsanipoor said Fullwood has an extensive criminal history, including abandonment of animals, arson, theft, obstruction and weapons charges.

The spokesman said the pig had gotten loose from property on Courthouse Road.

Residents in the area were attempting to find the pig’s owner when Fullwood attacked. A bystander captured the attack on videotape, which Ehsanipoor described as “gruesome.”

“We have seen public outrage since this unprovoked, brutal attack,” he said. “The video is disturbing.”

Ehsanipoor said Fullwood set two pit bulls to attack, then began stabbing the pig with a knife.

“This was not a wild pig,” Ehsanipoor said. “The pig posed no threat to anyone.”